TBI and Headaches

Why are headaches a
problem after brain injury?

Headaches after TBI can be long-lasting, coming and going even past one year.
Headaches can make it hard for you to carry out daily activities or can cause
you to have more difficulty thinking and remembering things.

Why do headaches happen
after brain injury?

Right after a severe TBI, people may have headaches because of the surgery on
their skulls or because they have small collections of blood or fluid inside the
skull.

Headaches can also occur after mild to moderate injury or, in the case of
severe TBI, after the initial healing has taken place. These headaches can be
caused by a variety of conditions, including a change in the brain caused by the
injury, neck and skull injuries that have not yet fully healed, tension and
stress, or side effects from medication.

What are some typical
kinds of headaches after TBI?

Migraine headaches

These kinds of headaches happen because an area of the brain becomes
hypersensitive and can trigger a pain signal that spreads out to other parts of
the brain (like the ripples that spread out after you drop a pebble in water).
These headaches typically have the following features:

Dull, throbbing sensation, usually on one side of the head.

Nausea or vomiting.

Light and sound sensitivity.

Pain level rated as moderate to severe.

You might get a warning signal that a migraine is coming on, such as seeing
spots or bright lights. This is called an aura.

Tension-type headaches

These headaches are associated with muscle tension or muscle spasms and
stress. They usually have the following features:

Tight, squeezing sensation, often around the entire head or on both sides.

Pain level rated as mild to moderate.

Occur later in the day.

Cervicogenic headaches

This type of headache can occur when there has been some injury to the
muscles and soft tissues in the neck and the back of the head. Many nerves that
are located in the tissues and bones of the neck have branches that travel to
the skull and scalp and can result in head pain. This type of headache usually
has these features:

Often start in the neck, shoulders and back of the head, and sometimes
travel over the top of the head.

Neck movement or positioning can make the pain worse.

These headaches are not usually associated with nausea and can range from
mild to severe.

Rebound headaches

Sometimes the very medicines used to treat headaches can actually cause
headaches. When pain medicines are taken daily on a regular schedule, missing
one or two doses can result in a headache.

You also can develop a rebound headache if you decrease the amount of
caffeine you use. For example, if you normally drink a lot of coffee, tea or
energy drinks but don't get your usual amount, you may get a headache.

Other facts about
headaches

Although there are many other types of headaches, these are the most
frequent. It is not unusual for someone to have two different types of headache.
For certain headaches like migraine, a family history is common.

Should I worry about
having a headache?

Most headaches are not dangerous. In the first few days after a concussion or
head injury, a person should see a health care professional experienced in
treating persons with brain injuries IF the following occurs:

Your headache gets worse.

You have nausea and/or vomiting with a headache.

You develop arm or leg weakness or problems speaking along with a headache.

You have increasing sleepiness with headache.

Do I need special tests
to diagnose a headache?

In the first few days after a head injury, doctors will often order a CT scan
of your brain to make sure there is no bleeding in your head. After that, a
brain scan or other test is rarely needed in order to diagnose a headache
accurately.

Usually, the health care provider will rely on your history and symptoms to
sort out what kind of headache you are having and how to treat it.

What can be used to treat a
headache after TBI?

This will depend on each individual case. It's important to discuss your
headaches with your doctor and to keep track of headaches and your response to
treatment. Many people use a headache diary to help them do this.

Lifestyle changes to help prevent headaches

The first steps in treating any type of headache don't involve drugs or other
therapy. Many times, lifestyle factors can trigger headaches or make headaches
worse. Making simple changes can often make a big difference in whether or not
headaches occur. Try to:

Get enough sleep.

Get daily exercise. Aerobic exercise such as walking and good stretching
often help to prevent headaches by improving sleep and decreasing triggers. If a
headache is worsened by any particular exercise, check with your health care
provider.

Avoid caffeine.

Avoid certain foods that may trigger a headache, like red wine, monosodium
glutamate (MSG, a common food additive) or certain cheeses.